A federal appeals court has granted the Maine Lobstermen’s Association request for an expedited review of its case against federal right whale rules, the association announced Wednesday.

The lobstermen are suing the National Marine Fisheries Service over what the industry calls a “scientifically flawed federal whale plan that will cripple Maine’s lobster industry.”

“We are pleased that the appeals court understands the urgency of hearing our argument that National Marine Fisheries Service has abused its discretion and that its current whale plan will not only destroy our industry and our livelihoods, but also won’t recover the right whale,” Patrice McCarron, executive director of the lobstermen’s association, said in a statement.

The right whale is endangered and there are believed to be fewer than 350 left, according to the fisheries service.

The federal rules require lobstermen to change their gear so it breaks more easily if a whale becomes entangled and closes certain areas to lobster fishing during whale migration periods.

Earlier this month, the lobstermen’s association announced it hired former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement to handle the appeal.

The expedited appeal sets in motion a series of deadlines for court filings, the last of which is in January 2023.

Maine has about 4,750 commercially licensed lobstermen and 1,085 student license holders, according to the lobstermen’s association.

The fleet supports 12,000 “jobs on the water” and an additional 5,500 shoreside jobs through its supply chain. Its value to the Maine economy is estimated to be about $1 billion a year.